Belt Lipectomy

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

A belt lipectomy, or lower body lift, is surgery to remove extra skin and fat from your stomach, back, and buttocks.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your surgery:

Informed consent is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

An IV is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Anesthesia is medicine to make you comfortable during the surgery. Healthcare providers will work with you to decide which anesthesia is best for you.

General anesthesia will keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. Anesthesia may be given through your IV. You may instead breathe it in through a mask or a tube placed down your throat. The tube may cause you to have a sore throat when you wake up.

Spinal or epidural anesthesia numbs the area and dulls the pain. You may still feel pressure or pushing during surgery.

During your surgery:

An incision will be made around your belly button and on your lower abdomen. Your surgeon will remove extra tissue and skin, and may use liposuction to remove extra fat. The tissues that cover your abdomen muscles will be stitched together to tighten your abdomen. Your surgeon may also remove extra tissue or fat from your thighs and pubic area. He will make a new hole for your belly button and close your incisions with stitches or staples.

Your surgeon will cut and remove the loose skin and extra fat from your back. The skin over your buttocks will be pulled up and stitched to the edges of the skin on your back to tighten the area. He will close your incisions with stitches or staples. Drains may be put in your surgery area to remove extra blood and fluid.

After your surgery:

You will be taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. You will be monitored closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. You will then be able to go home or be taken to your hospital room.

You may need to walk around the same day of surgery, or the day after. Movement will help prevent blood clots. You may also be given exercises to do in bed. Do not get out of bed on your own until your healthcare provider says you can. Talk to healthcare providers before you get up the first time. They may need to help you stand up safely. When you are able to get up on your own, sit or lie down right away if you feel weak or dizzy. Then press the call light button to let healthcare providers know you need help.

One or more drains may be placed during surgery to remove extra blood and fluid from your incision wounds. This helps prevent infection. The drain is taken out when the wounds stop draining fluid.

Medicines:

Pain medicine may be given. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you ask for more medicine.

Antibiotics help prevent infection caused by bacteria.

Antinausea medicine helps calm your stomach and prevents vomiting.

RISKS:

You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. You may not be happy with the results of your surgery. You may have extra pieces of tissue on your back. You may have numbness in the areas where you have incisions. You may develop poor blood flow to the skin near your incisions. Your incision wounds may not heal properly and may split open. A seroma (pocket of fluid) may form near the wounds. You may get a blood clot in your limb. This may become life-threatening.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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